Hydraulic timing apparatus



March 3-, 1964 64 RELAY VALVE M. S. HAYES HYDRAULIC TIMING APPARATUSFiled Aug. 2, 1961 Fig.5.

INVENTOR. Mum/c5 L5? H4 YE:

United States Patent 3,123,184 HYDRAULIC TIMING APPARATUS Maurice S.Hayes, 22142 Thelma St, Hayward, Calif. Filed Aug. 2, 1961, Ser. No.128,840 10 Claims. (Cl. 18897) This invention relates generally todevices for denoting periods of time, and more particularly is directedtowards a hydraulic system which mechanically indicates a predeterminedtime interval.

In operating various mechanical apparatus, control systems, and thelike, it is often necessary to maintain a particular element of theapparatus or system in a prescribed position for a given period of time.For example, a fluid flow system may require that a particular valve beopened and maintained in an open position for a time interval, and thenbe closed. Similar requirements are commonly encountered in otherapparatus wherein the timing of various mechanical operations isimportant.

It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide anovel and improved apparatus of the character described whichmechanically indicates a predetermined time interval.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical timing devicewhich may be coupled into an apparatus or system to regulate theduration of various operations therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thecharacter described which is readily adjusted to indicate time intervalsof varied duration.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical timingapparatus having a relatively sharp cutoff characteristic to delineatethe time interval.

An even further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thecharacter described which can be mechanically linked to a fluid valve orthe like to regulate the duration for which it is open or closed.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of the invention which is illustratedin the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. Itis to be understood, however, that variations in the showing madeby thesaid drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view in detail of the embodiment shown inFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 illustrates the invention during the setting operation, priorto the start of the time interval;

FIGURE 4 illustrates the invention during the time interval beingindicated;

FIGURE 5 illustrates the invention at the end of the time interval; and

FIGURE 6 illustrates a system which may be coupled to the presentinvention to regulate the flow of fiuid.

For a description of the invention in broad terms, reference is made toFIGURE 1 wherein is shown a hydraulic timer 11 having an actuating rod12 extending outwardly therefrom. The timer 11 is set by withdrawing therod 12, whereupon the rod remains substantially in the withdrawnposition for a given period of time and then moves quickly back to itsoriginal position to indicate the end of the time interval. A knob 13may be rotated to adjust the timer 11 to indicate intervals of differentduration.

Looking now at FIGURE 2 for a more detmled description of the invention,the timer 11 is seen to include a main body member 14 having twoelongated chambers 16 and 17, with three passageways 18, 19 and 21respectively communicating the intermediate portion 22 and the two endportions 23 and 24 of the chamber 16 with the corresponding intermediateportion 26 and end portions 27 and 28 of the chamber 17. In thepreferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in the drawings, themain body member 14 includes two elongated hollow cylinders 29 and 31,which respectively define the chambers 16 and 17. Similarly, the bodymember 14 includes three connecting tubes 32, 33' and 34 which definethe passageways 18, 19 and 21. It will be appreciated, however, that thechambers 16 and 17, and the passageways 18, 19 and 21 can also bereadily provided as bores in a unitary block member, as well as by theillustrated several cylinders and connecting tubes.

It is next seen that a piston 36 is slidably disposed within the chamber17, there being further provided means such as a tension spring 37 forurging the piston towards the end 38 of the chamber. Additional means,such as the actuating rod 12 which passes through the end 39 of thechamber 17 and connects to the piston, are provided in order to move thepiston towards the end 39 against the force of the tension spring 37,this being accomplished simply by Withdrawing the rod 12.

As regards now the chamber 16, there is provided therein a valve means41 which is disposed between the end portion 23 and the intermediateportion 22 of the chamber 16. In greater detail, the valve means 41includes a valve seat member 42, which is preferably of substantiallyannular shape and is disposed transversely within the chamber. A movablevalve member 43, which is preferably of substantially spherical shape inthe portion thereof confronting the seat member 42, is disposed withinthe chamber 16 between the intermediate portion 22 thereof and the seatmember 42. Means for urging the valve member 43 towards the seat member42 are then coupled to the valve member 43, such means being typified bythe illustrated compression spring 44 connected between the valve member43 and the end 46 of the cylinder 29.

Means are then provided for limiting the minimum opening between thevalve member 43' and the seat member 42, as for example an elongated rod47 which extends into the chamber 16 through the end 48 of the cylinder29, and has its end 49 disposed in confronting relation with the valvemember 43. The spacing be tween the valve member 43 and the seat member42 is controlled by the axial position of the rod 47, which can beadjusted by adapting the rod 47 with an upper threaded portion 51passing through a threaded bore 52 in the end 48 of the cylinder 29.Hence the size of the opening of the valving means 41 can be varied bysimply turning the knob 13.

A fluid, for example, oil or the like, is then contained within the twochambers and three passageways, and of course communicates between them.

To describe the operation of the invention reference is now made toFIGURES 3, 4 and 5 wherein the instant timer 11 is shown during variousstages of its operation. In order to set the timer, the actuating rod 12is pulled upwardly, as designated by the arrow 53 in FIGURE 3, wherebythe piston 36 is moved upwardly within the chamber. The motion of thepiston causes the fluid above the piston to flow out of chamber 17through the passageway 19 into the chamber 16, as indicated by thearrows 54. Similarly, the fluid in chamber 16 is free to pass therefrompast the valve means 41 and through the I passageways 18 and 2.1 intothe chamber 17, below the piston 36, as indicated by the arrows 56. Itis important to note that little if any resistance or back pressure isencountered in raising the rod 12 in preparation for the timing cycle.In this connection, attention is directed to the fact that the effectivecross sectional area of the passage in the valve means 4?} and the areaof the annular space between the ball 43 and the walls of the chamber 16is at least equal to the cross sectional area of the piston 36.Consequently, upon raising of the rod, fluid is free to flow as abovedescribed. In the event the initial position of the ball 43 is adjustedto be close to the valve seat 42, thus suggesting a possible resistanceto fluid flow, it will be appreciated that raising of rod 12 causes apositive pressure above the ball and a negative pressure below the ball,resulting in an opening of the space between the ball and the valve seat42. Because the compression spring offers sufiiciently small resistance,the valve member is easily moved downward and hence the actuating rod 12may be moved upwardly with little difli'culty.

When the piston 36 reaches its uppermost position, which is preferablylimited to some place below the passageway 19, the timer is set. Whenthe upward force on rod 12 is released, the tension spring begins tobear on the piston and the ensuing operation of the device is indicatedin FIGURE 4, wherein the arrow 57 shows the downward motion of thepiston under the force of the tension spring. it is important now tonote that the speed of downward motion of the piston is controlled bythe opening in the valve means 41. More particularly, as the piston ispulled down by the tension spring, the fluid under the piston is forcedinto the chamber 16 and upwardly through the valve means. Hence, thevalve member is pushed upwardly until it encounters the end of the rod47. Since the opening between the valve member and the valve seat issubstantially restricted, the flow therethrough is necessarily retarded.Thus by varying the opening in the valve means, i.e., the spacingbetween the ball 43 and the valve seat, the rate of flow therethrough isvaried, and ultimately the downward speed of the piston is controlled.

Once the top of the piston is substantially exposed to the passageway18, the piston moves rapidly to complete the downward stroke, whichmotion is best illustrated in FIGURE 5. More specifically, after thepiston passes the intermediate passageway 18, the valve means no longercontrols the piston speed, and instead the pressure of the fluid underthe piston is fed back through passageways 21 and 11.8 to bear on thetop of the piston, as indicated by the arrows 58, whereby the tensionspring quickly pulls down the piston.

The duration while the piston is moving relatively slowly between thepassageways 19 and 18 comprises the time interval to be indicated by theinstant invention. The rapid downward motion of the piston after itpasses the passageway 1-18 indicates the end of the time interval,thereby providing a sharp cutofi characteristic to delineate theinterval with a desirable degree of accuracy. By varying the axialposition of the adjustment rod 47, it is clear that the duration of thetime interval can also be varied.

As an example of one particular use of the instant invention, considerthe system illustrated in FIGURE 6, wherein is shown a valve 5-9 havingan intake conduit 61 and an outlet conduit 62. The valve is controlledby a lever arm 63, which in its upper position opens the valve and inits lower position closes the valve to thereby regulate the flow throughthe conduits 6d and 62. A relay 64 is coupled by a rod 66 to the leverarm 63, whereby the rod 66 is moved upwardly upon actuation of the relay64 to open the valve 59, and the rod 66 moves downwardly when power tothe relay is cut off, thereby closing the valve 59. Hence, asubstantially instantaneous pulse of power to the relay will merely openthe valve 59 for an instant. Now, by linking the rod 66 to the actuatingrod 12 of the instant invention, the duration oi time for which thevalve 5-9 remains open can be predetermined. More specifically, a pulseof power to the relay will open the valve, and at the same time withdrawthe rod 12 to set the instant timing device. When the power to the relayis cut off, the rod 66 does not simply return to its lower position, butinstead its downward motion is controlled 'by the motion of the rod 12.Hence, for a predetermined time interval the rod 66, and accordingly thelever arm 63, will move down very slowly, during which time interval thevalve 59 remains open. At the end of the time interval the rod 12 movesdown very quickly, to similarly allow the rod 66 and lever arm 63 toalso complete their downward motion, whereby the valve 59 is closed witha sharp cutoff characteristic.

It will now be appreciated that a timing device may be provided by theinvention which does not have the sharp cutoff characteristic describedabove, but instead exhibits a slow tapered cutoff characteristic whichis suitable for many uses. More specifically, by eliminating thepassageway 2.1, there will be no abrupt downward movement of the pistonto indicate the end of the time interval. Instead, the piston will moveslowly between the passageways 19 and 18 and merely come to restsubstantially adjacent passageway 18. Note that the distance betweenpassageways 19 and 18 governs the extent of movement of the actuatingrod 12, and hence this distance may be enlarged to provide sufiicientoperative movement of the rod 12.

It will also be appreciated that with the apparatus above described, nolimitations of specific orientation is required, since the device iscapable of proper operation not only in the vertical position shown, butin a horizontal, inverted, or other desired disposition.

What is claimed is:

1. Timing apparatus of the character described includ ing means definingspaced longitudinally extending first and second chambers, a firstconduit interconnecting said chambers medially of the respective endsthereof, second and third conduits interconnecting said chambers atpositions spaced from said first conduit on either side thereof andtoward the corresponding ends of said chambers, said chambers andconduits being substantially filled with liquid, a piston mounted forlongitudinal movement in said first chamber means for resilientlybiasing said piston toward a first end of said chamber, means for movingsaid piston towards the second end of said chamber against said biasingmeans, and valve means mounted in said second chamber between said firstconduit and one of said other conduits to control any fluid flowtherethrough and being biased toward a closed position and operable tofull open position by fluid pressure acting in opposition to said bias,the volume of the second chamber beyond the valve means being less thanthe volume of fluid displaced by the piston, said conduits, secondchamber and valve means when open having a cross-sectional flow path forliquid movement between said chambers at least as large as the crosssection of said first chamber and means for limiting movement of saidvalve in a closing direction.

2. Timing apparatus as described in claim 1 further characterized bysaid valve means including a valve seat member secured in said secondchamber, a movable valve member disposed in said second chamber, meansfor resiliently urging said valve member towards said seat member, andmeans for limiting the minimum opening between said valve member andsaid seat member.

3. Hydraulic timing apparatus comprising, in combination means defininga pair of spaced longitudinally extending chambers, first meansoperatively connected to said chambers medially of the respective endsthereof and placing said chambers in communication with each other,second means operatively connected to said chambers intermediate saidfirst means and the corresponding ends of said chambers and providingsecond communication between the chambers, third means operativelyconnected to said chambers intermediate said first means and theremaining corresponding ends of said chambers and providing thirdcommunication between the chambers, a fluid contained in said chambers,a piston mounted for longitudinal movement in one of said chambers,means for resiliently urging said piston towards the end of said onechamber adjacent said second means, means for moving said piston towardsthe other end of said one chamber, adjacent said third means, valvemeans disposed in said other chamber intermediate said first and thirdmeans and adapted to restrict flow in said other chamber from said firstmeans towards said third means.

4. Timing apparatus as described in claim 3 further characterized bysaid valve means including a valve seat member secured in said otherchamber and disposed therein intermediate said first and second means, amovable valve member disposed in said other chamber intermediate saidfirst means and said seat member, means for resiliently urging saidvalve member towards said seat member, and means for limiting theminimum opening between said valve member and said seat member.

5. Hydraulic timing apparatus comprising, in combination, a body memberhaving two elongated chambers therein and three passageways respectivelycommunicating the two end portions and intermediate portion of onechamber with the corresponding portions of the other chamber, a fluidcontained in the chambers and passageways, a piston slidably disposed ina first of said chambers, means for resiliently urging said pistontowards one end of said first chamber, means for moving said pistontowards the other end of said first chamber, a valve seat member securedin the other chamber and disposed between the intermediate portion andthe end portion thereof corresponding with said other end of said firstchamber, a movable valve member disposed in said other chamber betweenits intermediate portion and said seat member and adapted to be movedtowards said seat by said fluid when said piston is moved towards saidone end of said first chamber, means for resiliently urging said valvemember towards said seat member, and means for limiting the minimumopening between said valve member and said seat member.

6. Hydraulic timing apparatus comprising in combination, a body memberhaving first and second elongated chambers therein, said body memberfurther defining a first passageway communicating between said chambersfrom adjacent one end of said first chamber to adjacent one end of saidsecond chamber, a second passageway communicating between said chambersfrom adjacent the other end of said first chamber to adjacent the otherend of said second chamber, and a third passageway communicating betweensaid chambers from intermediate the ends of said first chamber tointermediate the ends of said second chamber; a piston slidably disposedin said first chamber; means for resiliently urging said piston towardssaid one end of said first chamber; means for moving said piston towardssaid other end of said first chamber; a valve seat member secured insaid second chamber and disposed intermediate said second and thirdpassageways; a movable valve member disposed within said second chamberand disposed intermediate said seat member and said third passageway;means for resiliently urging said valve member towards said seat member;means for limiting the minimum opening between said valve member andsaid seat member; and a fluid contained in said chambers andpassageways.

7. A hydraulic timing device comprising, in combination, a firstelongated tubular member having both ends closed, a second elongatedtubular member having both ends closed, a first connecting tubecommunicating between one end portion of said first tubular member andone end portion of said second tubular member, a second connecting tubecommunicating between the other end portion of said first tubular memberand the other end portion of said second tubular member, a thirdconnecting tube communicating between the intermediate portion of saidfirst tubular member and the intermediate portion of said second tubularmember, said connecting tubes and said second tubular member all havingcross sectional areas at least as large as said first tubular member, afluid contained in said tubular member and connecting tubes, a pistonslidably disposed in said tubular member, means for resiliently urgingsaid piston toward one end of said first tubular member, means formoving said piston towards the other end of said first tubular member, avalve seat member secured within said second tubular member and disposedbetween the intermediate portion and the other end portion thereof, amovable valve member disposed within said second tubular member betweenthe intermediate portion thereof and said seat member, means forresiliently urging said valve member towards said seat member, and stopmeans for limiting the minimum opening between said valve member andsaid seat member.

8. Hydraulic timing apparatus comprising, in combination, a body memberhaving two elongated chambers therein and three passageways respectivelycommunicating the two end portions and intermediate portion of onechamber with the corresponding portions of the other chamber, a fluidcontained in the chambers and passage Ways, a piston slidably disposedin one chamber, means for urging said piston towards one end of said onecham ber, means for moving said piston towards the other end of said onechamber, an annular valve seat member secured transversely in the otherchamber and disposed therein between the intermediate portion and oneend portion thereof, said passageways and the opening in said seatmember all having cross sectional areas at least as large as said onechamber, a movable valve member disposed in said other chamber betweenthe intermediate portion thereof and said seat member, means for urgingsaid valve member towards said seat member, and means for limiting theminimum opening between said spherical valve member and said annularseat member.

9. A hydraulic timing device comprising, in combination, a firstelongated hollow cylinder having both ends closed, a second elongatedhollow cylinder having both ends closed, a first connecting tubecommunicating between one end portion of said first cylinder and one endportion of said second cylinder, at second connecting tube communicatingbetween the other end portion of said first cylinder and the other endportion of said second cylinder, a third connecting tube communicatingbetween the intermediate portion of said first cylinder and theintermediate portion of said second cylinder, a fluid contained in saidcylinders and connecting tubes, a piston slidably disposed-in said firstcylinder, means for resiliently urging said piston towards said one endof said first cylinder, means for moving said piston towards said otherend of said first cylinder, an annular valve seat member securedtransversely within said second cylinder and disposed between theintermediate portion and said other end portion thereof, a movablesubstantially spherical valve member disposed within said secondcylinder between the intermediate portion thereof and said seat member,means for resiliently urging said valve member towards said seat member,and an elongated rod extending into said second cylinder through itsother end and adapted for adjustment to vary the axial position of saidrod within said second cylinder.

10. Hydraulic timing apparatus comprising, in combination, a firstelongated hollow cylinder having both ends closed, a second elongatedhollow cylinder having both ends closed and disposed in substantiallyparallel spaced relationship with said first cylinder, a firstconnecting tube communicating between one end portion of said firstcylinder and one end portion of said second cylinder, a secondconnecting tube communicating between the other end portion of saidfirst cylinder and the other end portion of said second cylinder, athird connecting tube communicating between the intermediate portion ofsaid first cylinder and the intermediate portion of said secondcylinder, a fluid contained in said cylinders and connecting tubes, apiston slidably disposed in said first cylinder, a tension springconnected between said piston and said first cylinder adjacent one endthereof to urge said piston towards said one end of said first cylinder,an actuating rod exber towards said seat member, and an elongated rodextending into said first cylinder through the other end tending intosaid second cylinder through its other end thereof and connecting withsaid piston, an annular valve and adapted for adjustment to vary itsaxial position withseat member secured transversely Within said secondcylinin said second cylinder. der and disposed between the intermediateportion and 5 said other end portion thereof, a movable substantiallyReferences Cited in the file of this Patent spherical valve memberdisposed Within said second cylin- TED S A PATENTS der between the1nte1med1ate port1 on thereof and said 1,117,057 Kohner NOV 10 1914 seatmember, a compression spring disposed in said second cylinder andconnected between said valve m mber and 10 1165230 Dggen 1915 2,020,847Mlterefi Nov. 12, 1935 adjacent one end of said cylinder to urge saidvalve mem-

1. TIMING APPARATUS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED INCLUDING MEANS DEFININGSPACED LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING FIRST AND SECOND CHAMBERS, A FIRSTCONDUIT INTERCONNECTING SAID CHAMBERS MEDIALLY OF THE RESPECTIVE ENDSTHEREOF, SECOND AND THIRD CONDUITS INTERCONNECTING SAID CHAMBERS ATPOSITIONS SPACED FROM SAID FIRST CONDUIT ON EITHER SIDE THEREOF ANDTOWARD THE CORRESPONDING ENDS OF SAID CHAMBERS, SAID CHAMBERS ANDCONDUITS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY FILLED WITH LIQUID, A PISTON MOUNTED FORLONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT IN SAID FIRST CHAMBER MEANS FOR RESILIENTLYBIASING SAID PISTON TOWARD A FIRST END OF SAID CHAMBER, MEANS FOR MOVINGSAID PISTON TOWARDS THE SECOND END OF SAID CHAMBER AGAINST SAID BIASINGMEANS, AND VALVE MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID SECOND CHAMBER BETWEEN SAID FIRSTCONDUIT AND ONE OF SAID OTHER CONDUITS TO CONTROL ANY FLUID FLOWTHERETHROUGH AND BEING BIASED TOWARD A CLOSED POSITION AND OPERABLE TOFULL OPEN POSITION BY FLUID PRESSURE ACTING IN OPPOSITION TO SAID BIAS,THE VOLUME OF THE SECOND CHAMBER BEYOND THE VALVE MEANS BEING LESS THANTHE VOLUME OF FLUID DISPLACED BY THE PISTON, SAID CONDUITS, SECONDCHAMBER AND VALVE MEANS WHEN OPEN HAVING A CROSS-SECTIONAL FLOW PATH FORLIQUID MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID CHAMBERS AT LEAST AS LARGE AS THE CROSSSECTION OF SAID FIRST CHAMBER AND MEANS FOR LIMITING MOVEMENT OF SAIDVALVE IN A CLOSING DIRECTION.